LaNita J Pemberton

LaNita J. Pemberton, age 86 and long-time resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away on Sunday, December 1 surrounded by family. She was born September 15, 1938 to Ralph and Hester Vandiver in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was a proud graduate of Ponca City High School in 1956. She married the love of her life, Troy Pemberton on August 24, 1955 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to pursue Troy’s college education at Oklahoma State University following his stent in the U.S. Army. She often stated she worked and paid Troy’s way through his pursuit of a PhD in Electrical Engineering, They moved to Bartlesville in 1965. LaNita loved being mom of four children and working part-time as secretary at Limestone Church of Christ for Art Henley. She was an avid fan of Oklahoma State University, University of Kansas and Oklahoma City Thunder basketball and especially enjoyed her grandchildren’s sports. She loved to collect salt & pepper shakers, tea pots and dolls along life’s adventures and enjoyed doing laundry and ironing freshly cleaned clothes for anyone. Troy’s electrical engineering jobs moved them to Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Edmond, Oklahoma; and Wichita, Kansas. After Troy retired from Applied Automation in 1986, he followed his passion in Engineering to establish the Engineering program and teach college students at Oklahoma Christian University. They often hosted dinners for Troy’s college student families that didn’t have family close and known to share their home long term with friends and family members as needed. LaNita cared for and stood by Troy’s side through three long years of battling ALS. Her compassion for and dedication to Troy was unfaltering. She immensely enjoyed Bingo with friends at Brookdale. The family wishes to thank express thanks for loving care at Brookdale and Journey Home staff. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Troy Pemberton, brothers Norman and Wayne Vandiver, and parents Ralph and Hester Vandiver. She is survived by four children: Jim (Glenda) Pemberton of Maryville, Tennessee, Brenda (Mike) Matlock of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Lanette (John) Allendorf of Lavaca, Arkansas and Jana Pemberton of Lavaca, Arkansas; six grandchildren: Kelly Walker (Worthington, Ohio), Brandon Pemberton (Knoxville, TN), Justin Matlock (Oklahoma City, OK), Davis Matlock (Edmond, OK) and Ashton Waldrop (Mequon, Wisconsin) & Kierstin Waldrop (West Bend, Wisconsin); two beloved sisters in law: Toppy Vandiver (Muskogee, OK) and Carla Pemberton (Ponca City, OK); 9 great grand children and several nieces and nephews. She enjoyed many friendships which she cultivated and grew across her lifetime. Special friends are Gerald and Verna Lee Parker, Lela Hastings Cash, Joe & Sharon Martin, Joe Watson, Colleen & Bob Seat, Dexter & Lena Smith, Art & Becky Henley, Duain & Sue Hogue, Dr. J Terry & Marty Johnson, Art & Sandy Sheldon, Dr. Howard Leftwich, Lynn Tyler, Dr. Bailey McBride, and Bill Ryan. Her celebration of life service will be held at Stumpff’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Public viewing is available 8:00 - 9:55 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 4. Family will only be available at the memorial services and memorial contributions can be made to Journey Home at https://www.thejourneyhomeok.org/donate. To watch the service live streamed click this link https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczMzMyNDIzOTMzOTgwMiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

LaNita J Pemberton

September 15, 1938 - December 1, 2024